Why Do Earthquakes Happen?

Earthquakes are usually caused when rock underground suddenly breaks along a
fault. This sudden release of energy causes the seismic waves that make the ground
shake. When two blocks of rock or two plates are rubbing against each other, they
stick a little. They don't just slide smoothly; the rocks catch on each other. The rocks
are still pushing against each other, but not moving. After a while, the rocks break
because of all the pressure that's built up.
Seismic waves from large earthquakes pass throughout the Earth.
These waves contain vital information about the internal structure of the Earth.
As seismic waves pass through the Earth, they are refracted, or bent, like rays of light
bend when they pass though a glass prism.
Seismic waves  Earthquake is a vibration of the Earth produced by the rapid release of energy.  This
energy radiates in all directions from the focus in the form of waves called seismic waves.